Majerle Latest To Jilt Heat

The Heat, which lost Juwan Howard on Saturday and was spurned by Dan Majerle on Tuesday, still has two needs to fill, $4.5 million to spend under the salary cap and six weeks to training camp.

Majerle, a 6-foot-6 swingman who would fit the Heat's need of a defender and shooter capable of playing small forward and shooting guard, was expected to sign Tuesday. But the veteran apparently decided against the move and returned to Phoenix, where he lives and owns a popular restaurant.

"I don't know which way he's leaning," said Suns assistant coach Danny Ainge, a former Majerle teammate. "I'm not even sure he knows."

Suns General Manager Bryan Colangelo said the team isn't negotiating with Majerle, but has interest. Majerle played his first seven seasons with the Suns before he was traded to Cleveland last October.

The same week the Heat found out for sure that Howard was lost to the Bullets, it also was jilted, for now, by Majerle.

The Heat does not consider the Majerle option closed and it is not the only team that has courted him and been met with indecision this summer. Reportedly, the three-time All-Star was close to earlier deals with the Jazz and Bucks.

Because the Suns are over the salary cap, they cannot offer Majerle more than a minimum salary and the possibility of earning just over $7 million over four seasons. But that would require a leap of faith into free agency during the next four years. On the other hand, with about $4.5 million left under the cap, the Heat could make the most lucrative offer because the Cavaliers renounced the rights to Majerle last week. Had the Cavs retained his rights, they could have paid him an unlimited amount as their own free agent.

The free-agent market continues to shrink as each day passes. Swingman Mario Elie, who expressed an interest in playing for the Heat, signed with the Rockets on Tuesday. Among the other small forwards and big guards available are Darrin Hancock, Willie Anderson, Kenny Smith and Chris King. Should the Heat shift its sights toward a big man, Brian Williams, Oliver Miller and Derek Strong, a player the Heat inquired about last summer, remain unsigned.

Earlier this week, Riley mentioned trades as another possible means of stocking the roster. Charles Barkley's name has surfaced in rumors - with the Heat and just about every other team - but Riley has downplayed that possibility.